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HEADLINES
In 2005, Montanans were leaving home – not because they were fleeing the state for better prospects; they were going to prison. The Treasure State had the fastest-growing prison population in the United States, fueled largely by a methamphetamine epidemic. Half of its male inmates and two-thirds of its female inmates were incarcerated for meth-related crimes.
Today all that's changed. Instead of struggling with America's fifth-worst meth problem, the state now ranks 39th. Teen use has declined 45 percent; adult use is down 70 percent.
While News10 aired a powerful documentary about the epidemic of crystal meth in Northern California Wednesday evening, the stories of addiction are just as compelling.
Craig Koury is a recovering crystal meth addict. He starting using the drug as a stagehand touring with the Grateful Dead rock band in the 1980s, after cocaine became too expensive.
Substance abuse is an unfortunate problem that has plagued society. Addiction to drugs may result in health problems and death eventually, if the user is not treated early on.
There are certain drugs that directly affect the central nervous system and cause mood swings and other physical problems. In severe cases, there is often psychological dependence on the drug that makes one addicted to it. With most countries taking legal steps against it, recreational drug use has been banned in most nations. However, there is rampant drug trafficking still prevalent in several regions.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Network Environmental Systems, Inc., the leading provider of clandestine drug lab safety training in the U.S. was awarded a Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant to provide meth awareness training to first on-scene law enforcement. NES is seeking interest from law enforcement agencies interested in holding a session in their region. If your agency is interested in hosting a class please contact Stephanie Summers at ssummers@networkenvironmental.com or call 800 637-2384. The 4-hr class will train first on-scene officers and other law enforcement personnel how to identify and safely deal with methamphetamine abusers and methamphetamine labs they can encounter during routine calls and traffic stops. NES is also developing a web-based awareness class, scheduled for completion by October of 2008.
Communities and Cops Combat Meth
Federal, state, and local investment in Washington efforts shows early successes. Click here to read the report by King County Sheriff and Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative.
ONDCP MEDIA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES NEW METH PREVENTION INITIATIVE
Print Ads, Photo Exhibit, and Other New Resources Help Communities Fight
Meth
The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign launched its Anti-Meth Campaign today. In conjunction with National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month, the new campaign highlights the dangers associated with meth use for the individual, families, and communities‹and delivers a message of hope, with stories from people in recovery and community leaders who are making progress in the fight against meth. The effort includes advertising, news media outreach, and online resources.
Read more...
Methpedia Podcast - New Victories and New Challenges in the War on Meth
Click here to listen to the podcast.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy releases "Synthetic Drug Control Strategy" and "National Drug Control Strategy".
Click here to read Synthetic Drug Control Strategy
Click here to read National Drug Control Strategy.
A Portrait of the Typical School-Age Meth User
The typical student user of methamphetamines is a 17-year old white male who lives with both parents, first tried meth at age 12.6 years, under performs in the classroom, and does not view the drug as harmful to the health, according to data collected by Pride Surveys from more than 3,000 self-reported users of meth in grades 6-12.
More than half (51.1%) find meth to be “very easy” to obtain. Another 12.5% said “fairly easy.”
Click here to get the full Pride Surveys report.
Stories Wanted! About Your Local Community's National Methamphetamine Awareness Day Activities
We want to share your stories about your local community's activities during National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. Send your stories to jcopple@sai-dc.com. Please include a brief paragraph describing your activity or project for that day.
Methpedia.org's FIRST PODCAST
You can access Methpedia.org's first podcast, regarding National Methamphetamine Awareness Day by clicking here.
Methpedia.org Methamphetamine Blog
Contribute to a blog on methamphetamine on the new Methpedia.org. Go to http://www.methpedia.org/ then click on "Blogs".
The Senate passed S. 3525, the Improving Outcomes for Children Affected by Meth Act of 2006, yesterday. For additional details about this act and other information, please click here.
ABOUT US
Strategic Applications International pursues great ideas, promotes actions and effects change with demonstrated results. Strategic Applications International (SAI) partners and consultants have worked with the National Crime Prevention Council, Drug Enforcement Administration, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Office for the last five years to convene statewide Meth Summits in more than 15 states. SAI is engaged in the development and distribution of a wide variety of tools and services to assist local, state and federal agencies apply research and best practices to the many aspects of the meth challenge.
To find out more about SAI and its work on meth, please click here.
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